NOTE: IF YOU THINK YOU ARE NOT AN ARTIST ...THINK AGAIN...EVERYONE IS A CREATOR...IF YOU HAVE GIVEN BIRTH TO SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT HERE BEFORE YOU ARE AN ARTIST. CLAIM YOUR CREATIVE SELF. SHE IS IN THERE I PROMISE...THE KEY IS TO BRING HER OUT. EVERYONE IS INCLUDED. DON'T BE SHY! WRITE, SHARE AND WATCH THE MAGIC HAPPEN!
Women, Community, and Art: On the creative path of friendships, support and the healing power of art.
I am on a mission to create a blog series that focuses on all of us. My goal is to commit to blogging about 1 artist per week for a year… I want to begin collecting the posts to start scheduling it for the beginning of the year…
I would like to create an online yearbook of sorts. I was hoping that each of you would share your journey. What has happened to you as a result of being part of this online community of women artists? What has changed in your life? What has been awakened? What have you learned and how have YOU changed? Did you let go and let Art? How do you feel about this community? What are your wishes for other women, community and art? How have you bonded with women? Has it changed your relationships, your perspective on life? How have you illustrated this bonding, connection, love, support, friendships? What is life like on the “outside” (of this virtual world) What lies in your future? How has your art changed or evolved? What major shifts do you see happening?
With each post I would like for you to include several pictures of your art…whatever that may be….include your contact info…website, blog, etc.
You can set it up in a word document and email it to me…sofiadabalsa@gmail.com once I schedule them out I will let you know the day so you can post it on your blog.
I believe that one single decision to commit to myself led me to this place with all of you beautiful women. Who knew it would have such a lasting impact! These nurturing friendships and unwavering support… have moved me on a soul level! This place has become a constant in my life... a solid place to rest and grow. Oh, how much your love of art and courage to put it out there has healed me in SO MANY ways!
I'll be posting this in all the groups I am a part of..... so you may see it a couple of times... so please be patient.
Well hello there! I have been taking some time off of the internet for the last couple of weeks. I sometimes feel the pressure to compare myself and keep up with what everyone else is doing that I drive myself crazy.
Blogging is fun but I am still trying to find the balance of what feels right to me. I think for now once a month is what I can commit to. I often say nobody reads my blog anyway...but as an artist finding her way it's important to me to document the journey for myself and not spend too much time thinking about whether or not someone else reads it. That leads to feelings of "not enough" and well I KNOW that I am! I wonder if others have felt this way too?
So in my time away from cyberspace I have been creating some art. I have been sketching some, painting some, I am learning to sew, reading, writing a lot, meeting up with other artists and I completed my first ever video with help of my fiance, Jeff.
This blog post is a "collage" of all the above. I have lots of pictures to share and of course the video.
I am in love with Tamara Laporte, I found her last year but never got a chance to take any of her classes. This summer I finally did and I can say that I have learned so much! As a self-taught artist it is nice to experience how other artists create and learn from their training and experiences.
I have realized that I like making faces. I am trying my best to learn how to draw bodies but I don't think its one of my favorite things to draw. I am hoping to expand into more abstract painting using some of my sketches soon!
Here is a painting of what I am calling my Creative Goddess. She is emerging slowly from the depths of my soul. Working these last couple of months with my AWESOME, BEAUTIFUL, KNOWLEDGEABLE, ENCOURAGING, KEEPS-ME-INLINE, life coach Juile Parker has made a difference for me. I realized that it's okay to ask for help and that I sometimes need to! After quitting my "soul-sucking" job... a term I learned through reading The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown, I felt that I would spiral out of control if I did not organize myself, thoughts, and goals moving forward. Julie has a way of helping me truly dig deeper than I ever have to uncover what I truly want in the next chapter of my life!
I had the great honor of meeting up with Jess Greene this summer. Jess is the mastermind behind The Jumpstart Creativity Tour! She came to San Antonio a couple of weeks ago and we sat together with a few others and created art at a Starbucks downtown! This chick is brave and so determined to spread the power of creating art where you are NOW! She will ultimately travel to 50 cities this year, by herself, with a car full of art supplies and share her love of art and jumpstart your own creativity! It is such a beautiful way to see the country and she is spreading the word that art truly connects us! Check it out, maybe you can see her in your city!
I am taking Touch the Moon E-Course with Rachel Payne from Creativity Tribe! It has been a great ride. The course is definitely helping me to slow things down a bit and pay attention more to the inside. At night when I find the moon I remember to be still and listen. I take deep breaths and know that I am connected to an infinite wisdom that will never let me down.
Last but not least is my first ever video. This was fun. I was trying a technique on making tree branches using some paint and a straw! Looking back, next time I think I will use a white background and black paint instead because it would be easier to see and it has a more "asian" feel to me. I was attempting here to make a Cherry Blossom (only my favorite tree in the world)
Be warned that it may look like I am smoking something but really its just the lack of oxygen to my brain! ;o)
Soon Jeff will teach me how to make all these transitions and add the sound.... iMovie another skill to learn!! Didn't he do a great job?
Phew!!! Well I think that does it for now beauties! I hope you enjoyed my post. Wishing everyone a good next month as we move into Fall (my favorite time of year)!
Since I was a small child I understood the tremendous power
of giving. Thanks to my parents for starting my siblings and I on that path. I
remember handing out toys during Christmas to those less fortunate. I remember
volunteering at hospitals and other organizations as a result.
As a young woman I found myself in many situations where I
would use my power of giving and literally give it (my power) all away. My
time, my talents, my money, everything that I had… I would… irresponsibly give
away. Even when I knew I shouldn’t I did. Why? Because it felt so good to save
the day. I felt like Wonder Woman!
I said that I did it out of love but really
what I was doing it for was for recognition, to be loved and to be held in the
highest esteem. I used the power of giving in the wrong way and I realized this
later in my life.
Today, I can give in healthy ways. I pay attention to what
resonates on a soul level! I make contributions of my time, talent and treasure
when it FEELS right! I believe that giving and receiving are one in the same.
Each time I give, I receive! Each time I give, I create an experience of true
prosperity!
Being a part of the Fly Tribe is one of the greatest honors
of my life. Although most of the flyers I have never met in person the
collective energy of love and community is alive! A year ago I could have
never imagined the gifts that I would receive as a result of finally giving
something to myself. Signing up for Flying Lessons with Kelly Rae Roberts has
been one of the best things I have done for myself! It has brought me closer to
claiming the idea that I am an artist, closer to my true self, closer to a
group of women that support each other in loving and very genuine ways.
The positive vibrations lead me to be a more aware artist
and a more open human. I have experienced first hand the wonderful benefits of
giving.
When it felt right I would create a piece of artwork and mail it or
drop it off to a friend, I would send along messages of encouragement, I have
visited them in their homes and listened with my heart. I have been called
wise, compassionate, patient, caring, loving and soulful-giver.
What has been
given to me as a result of being more aware and open to these relationships is an
indescribable sense of belonging and it just feels so fabulously good! It really is magical!
Being a part of the Fly Tribe has allowed me to open more
freely in my everyday life. I have taken chances that I would normally shy away
from. I can pull from the collective strength of this wonderful group and
tackle difficult challenges and face those problems that seemed just too much
to take. I have become fearless in my approach to life. I feel that I have
pulled back so many layers in the last year that I am shedding my old skin and
looking at a new face.
I wish this and so much more to those individuals who
receive this great gift of giving! As the Fly Tribe and Kelly Rae Roberts
soulfully donate Flying Lessons Courses to a lucky group, my hope is that you
all experience the wonderful growth and uplifting vibration that will surely
follow!
I want to take this last couple of lines to thank every
single woman that I have connected with online, in person or in spirit. My life
is enhanced as a result of your presence…thank you and Namaste!
Click on the links below and find the blog of each of these beautiful artists and see what they say about the spirit of giving! Leave comments and let's spread the goodness!! Janet Forresthttp://www.tatterednworn.wordpress.com
